Boston Bruins Sign RFA Defenceman to Extension

Marat Khusnutdinov Given Contract Extension by Boston Bruins

Khusnutdinov has played for the Minnesota Wild and the Bruins over his two-year NHL career. The Moscow native registered a career-high five goals and seven assists for 12 points in 75 games. He had an average ice time of 12 minutes and five seconds in this recent season. Khusnutdinov had a Corsi for of 48.4 and a relative Corsi of 4.1.

The 22-year-old has six goals and 10 assists for 16 points in 91 career games. Minnesota originally drafted him in the second round, 37th overall of the 2020 NHL Draft. He also played for both  SKA St. Petersburg and HK Sochi in the Kontinental Hockey League. Khusnutdinov started the 2023-24 campaign over in Russia, but made his way over to North America.

The forward was part of the deal that sent Justin Brazeau and to the Twin Cities and the deadline. Jakub Lauko also returned to Boston as part of the trade.

What It Means

Khusnutdinov will likely fit in as a depth centre for the Bruins, who had a solid draft. He registered two goals and five points in his 18 games with the Bruins.

Boston has undergone some changes since last season, but it seems that Khusnutdinov is part of the plan for now. The Bruins want to get back into contention sooner rather than later.

This signing is an under-the-radar one. However, it does help fill out the lineup sheet.